Challenger and Landmark Temporary Closures

Challenger, Landmark to open again Oct. 17

Posted by Jim Cummings on 10/8/2016

Students from Challenger Middle and Landmark school will return to their campuses on Monday, Oct, 17, following the completion of construction work at their schools.

The Glendale Elementary School District received the go-ahead Friday from David Bixler, its structural engineer, to reopen Landmark. The District expects to receive the go-ahead to occupy Challenger next week. The approval came after three weeks of construction at each campus. A recent improvement project at Landmark and Challenger uncovered structural deficiencies in the schools’ buildings. Over the last three weeks, sister walls were constructed to make the buildings safe to occupy again. Estimated cost to repair both schools was $2.5 million, but the project is expected to come in under budget. Money to make the repairs was approved and provided by the State School Facilities Board. Construction is wrapping up at both campuses, and in the next week the plants at each school will be brought back online, and cleanup will be completed for students return on Oct. 17.

Over the last three weeks Challenger students have been bused to attend classes at the Alhambra Family Resource Center, Landmark students have been attending morning sessions at Desert Spirit Elementary School, while Desert Spirit students attended afternoon sessions. Beginning Monday, Oct. 17 students and teachers at Challenger, Landmark and Desert Spirit will return to their regular schedules. In addition, enrichment sessions at Desert Spirit and Desert Garden, which were set up for students to attend before or after half-day sessions, will stop due to the three schools returning to their regular schedules.

“We are delighted to be ahead of schedule on this project, and that these campuses are once again safe for children and staff,” said GESD Superintendent Joe Quintana. “We know this has been inconvenient in many ways. We owe a great debt of thanks to all GESD staff that contributed to this effort, but especially to the parents and staffs from Landmark, Challenger and Desert Spirit. By working together they made sure that we continued to deliver the vital educational services our students deserve.”

Construction remains on schedule

Posted by Jim Cummings, APR on 9/30/2016

Construction contines to progress on schedule at the Challenger and Landmark campuses.

For more than a week construction crews have been working in double shifts to erect the sister walls that will bring the buildings into compliance, and add up to 10 years to the life of the buildings. Construction began more than a week ago.

In the photo above you can see a completed sister wall. What appears to be a ledge is the sister wall that was installed.

Before paint is applied to the new sister walls, a sealant is applied — what appears to be white paint in the photo above. The sealant will keep moisture away from the block, which will add life to the building.

Landmark returns

Enrichment being offered for Challenger, Desert Garden students

Posted by Jim Cummings on 9/15/2016

Enrichment will be offered for Challenger and Desert Garden students at Desert Garden. We will offer enrichment for Challenger students before school from 8:15 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. The students will be transported to the Alhambra Family Resource Center (formerly Cordova Primary School). Enrichment will also be offered for siblings of Challenger students who attend Desert Garden. Desert Garden siblings who walk home with older siblings will be able to attend enrichment from 3:45 p.m. until 5 p.m. To enroll your children, or if you have any questions, call the office of Effective schools at 623-237-7232.